Description

FROM THE FAR SIDE OF THE MOON, THE FOURTH LARGEST PIECE OF THE
MOON: DAR AL GANI (DaG) 1058Lunar breccia - LUNLibya - (27° 22' 30"N, 16° 11' 4"E)

Worthy of the most important natural history museums in the world,
this is the fourth largest portion of the Moon available for
private acquisition (the Moon rock recoveries by Apollo Mission
astronauts are not). Scientists have determined that DaG 1058 is a
lunar highland breccia from the far side of the Moon. Shaped like a
large slab, DaG 1058 has the single largest surface area to mass
ratio of any of the largest lunar meteorites - making this peerless
for exhibition purposes.

As was conveyed in the Introduction to Lunar Meteorites,
lunar specimens are identified by geological, mineralogical,
chemical, and radiation signatures. These details, plus an analysis
of the radiation level that identifies this specimen's origin as
the far side of the Moon, are described in the scientific abstract
in the Meteoritical Bulletin that accompanies this lot. The
analysis was submitted by the scientist most renowned for lunar
meteorite classification, Dr. Anthony Irving at the University of
Washington.

Exhibiting numerous impact melt breccias, DaG 1058 was repeatedly
pummeled by asteroids prior to being launched off the Moon's
surface. DaG 1058 is comprised primarily of mineral fragments,
lithic clasts (95% of which are anorthositic), and a glassy matrix.
DaG 1058 is paired to DaG 400, the first lunar meteorite recognized
to have fallen in Africa. (As these two meteorites were found in
proximity to one another, they are believed to have originated from
the same event.) Split into halves to maximize the display of
surface area, this is a matchless example of the most mesmerizing
object in the sky: the Moon. Total: 116 x 238 x 58mm (4.5 x 9.33
x 2.25 inches) and 1779.66 grams (3.92 pounds).

INTRODUCTION TO LUNAR METEORITES - The following six lots are
portions of the Moon authenticated by renowned scientists. Lunar
samples are readily identified by their highly specific geological,
mineralogical, chemical and radiation signatures. Lunar minerals
were formed in a weak gravitational field, absence of water, with
no free oxygen, and have been altered through exposure to cosmic
radiation. The minerals comprising the Moon's crust are limited.
Lunar specimens contain gases originating from the solar wind with
isotope ratios that are markedly different than the same gases
found on Earth (also a result of cosmic radiation).

When asteroids strike the Moon's surface, chunks of the Moon are
launched into space in much the same way that dust is launched into
the air when a child dives onto a bed. One merely needs to view the
craters of the Moon to imagine the number of asteroids whose impact
would have provided sufficient energy to eclipse the Moon's
gravitational influence and launch surface material into space.
Less than 0.1% of all meteorites recovered are lunar in origin,
with less than 150 pounds of meteorites originating from the Moon
known to exist. Lunar meteorites are so scarce, and so difficult to
identify, that not one example has ever been found in Europe, or
either of the American continents. Every single lunar meteorite
recovery to date has been from a desert where such meteorites are
more readily identified (including the cold desert of Antarctica,
where precipitation is negligible).

Of the 79 distinct lunar meteorites known, 20 were found by
scientists searching in Antarctica. Owned by a consortium of
countries, not one gram of Antarctic material will ever be
available to the private sector. (Nor will the U.S. government ever
release a single gram of the 380 kg of Moon rocks recovered by
Apollo astronauts.)

Moving onto the fourth largest lunar meteorite known to exist, Dar
al Gani (DaG) 1058 - the larger piece of the Moon to grace a public
offering.

Condition Report*:
Condition report available upon request.

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Statements regarding the condition of objects are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation,
warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted in the condition report but are apparent in the provided photos which are considered part of the condition report.
Please note that we do not de-frame lots estimated at $1,000 or less and may not be able to provide additional details for lots valued under $500.
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Auction Info

Auction Dates

October, 2012

14thSunday

Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 3

Lot Tracking Activity: N/A

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